California Department of Transportation

Redding – Caltrans today announced that construction
will begin Tuesday,
June 1, 2010, on a $24.7 million project that will build new truck climbing
lanes on Interstate 5 in Shasta County. The project is funded primarily
($22.9 million) by Proposition 1B, the $19.9 billion-dollar transportation
bond championed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and approved by voters
in 2006. During the next two weeks there will be lane closures between
7 p.m. and 6 a.m. nightly to do restriping in anticipation of shifting
traffic. There will be a reduction in the speed limit during lane
closures.

"When the voters passed Proposition 1B, they wanted action and action
is what they're getting. Proposition 1B is paying for vital transportation
projects up and down California," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "Investing
in our infrastructure is also strengthening our economy and creating jobs
throughout the state when we need them most."

Interstate 5 is the transportation backbone for California and a vital
goods movement corridor. The project will ease traffic congestion by constructing
new lanes for trucks on I-5 between Cottonwood and Anderson. In addition
to new truck-climbing lanes, Caltrans will resurface nearly 14 lane-miles
of existing highway pavement within the project limits.

The project is a partnership between Caltrans, the Federal Highway Administration,
and the Shasta County Regional Transportation Planning Agency. Construction
is expected to be completed in spring 2011.

For more information please contact the Public Information Office at 530-225-3260.